Why Me?: A Dortmunder Novel

Written by Donald Westlake

Narrated by Brian Holsopple

Having unsuspectingly lifted the hottest gem in town, John Dortmunder becomes the prey of the FBI, the New York City police, terrorist groups from three nations, and all of New Yorkrsquo;s petty and not-so-petty crooks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highbridge Company
• Release date: Dec 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781622310708

Donald Westlake

Donald E. Westlake (1933–2008) was one of the most prolific and talented authors of American crime fiction. He began his career in the late 1950s, churning out novels for pulp houses—often writing as many as four novels a year under various pseudonyms—but soon began publishing under his own name. His most well-known characters were John Dortmunder, an unlucky thief, and a ruthless criminal named Parker. His writing earned him three Edgars and a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America. Westlake’s cinematic prose and brisk dialogue made his novels attractive to Hollywood, and several motion pictures were made from his books, with stars such as Lee Marvin and Mel Gibson. Westlake wrote several screenplays himself, receiving an Academy Award nomination for his adaptation of The Grifters, Jim Thompson’s noir classic.

Reviews for Why Me?

[chuck · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nice dortmonder book by westlake wish there were more on audio

[hardlyhardy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

If you think it's challenging to steal a ring with incredible value and huge international significance, try giving it back.“Why Me?” could have been the title of any of the 14 novels Donald E. Westlake wrote featuring his hard-luck thief John Dortmunder, but it's actually the one published in 1983. It's somebody else who originally steals the Byzantine Fire, a priceless gem coveted by the Greeks, Turks and several others. That night the stolen ring is stored in the safe of an ordinary jewelry store, but that just happens to be the night Dortmunder decides to break into that store. He spots the Byzantine Fire in the safe and thinks it's probably a fake, but he takes it anyway. Big mistake.Dortmunder doesn't pay much attention to newspapers and TV news, so he is among the last people in New York City to hear about the museum theft. By then the police, the FBI and those various international groups have organized in pursuit of the Fire and whoever has it. Worse, because the cops are putting the heat on everyone in the city with a criminal record, Dortmunder's own usual partners in crime are cooperating in the hunt.The Byzantine Fire may be the biggest score of Dortmunder's criminal career, yet it is worthless to him. He wants only to give it back without getting caught. But how?Virtually every chapter in this novel — and there are 46 of them — is a comic masterpiece, and almost every character is uniquely hilarious.The novel may be dated in some respects, yet it remains enormously fun to read.

[tgraettinger_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another enjoyable Dortmunder novel, with some different twists since most of the usual cast of characters were NOT involved directly. I thought the ending was a bit too easy and unlikely, but I laughed about it anyway.

[miaculpa-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In this Dortmunder caper, Dortmunder inadvertently steals a precious jewel and finds himself hunted by the entire New York underworld, as well as the police and sundry organisations all wanting the jewel back and the thief dead. Some funny moments and there's a nod to the classic film M in the scenes where the criminals are trying to track down the jewel thief (maybe I'm overthinking it though).

[stahl2ricco · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hilarious first chapter! And beyond! A petty thief named Dortmunder accidentally steals a precious jewel that had just been stolen by other thieves! And little does he know that not only does he have it, but his "world is filling up with police forces, intelligence agencies, guerrilla bands, assassination teams, religious fanatics, all pointed at that poor bastard's head"! The unwitting fool! Great characters and wonderful humor! And I loved all the rigamarole withe the telephones! A great read!

[augustusgump · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An enjoyable romp, but I had hoped for more laughs. I think if the character of Dortmunder himself had been more developed, I would have found the book funnier - I tend to find character a richer source of laughs than plot.

[eetzel_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If Kelp had answered the call, instead of screening it using an early model answering machine, none of this mess would have happened. All the cops of New York, the Terrorist Cooporative, every hasseled crook and worse yet, Tiny want Dortmunder's blood all for a ring he may or may not have.